Is this the end for the golden boy? Stoke decide they won't renew Owen's contract

Michael Owen, the one-time golden boy of English football, may be forced into retirement at the age of 33 this summer after a decision by Stoke not to offer him a new contract for next season.

Owen's fate was sealed at a meeting of Stoke officials on Thursday to start planning for the next campaign.

Autumn of his career: Michael Owen left searching for a contract

The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Manchester United striker has scored only one goal this season and failed to start a Premier League game after signing a one-year pay-as-you-play deal at the Britannia in September.

And having regularly affirmed that he would never drop down the divisions to prolong his playing days, that means his celebrated career could be over.

Although Stoke have not spent much on Owen's wages, the club are embarking on a new strategy next season and do not foresee any long-term role for the England striker, who could be involved against Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday after recovering from a thigh injury.

If Owen, who burst on to the scene as a teenager at the 1998 World Cup in France, does not drop down the divisions, that leaves the Middle East or America as the only alternative to hanging up his boots.

But neither seem likely as he pursues a dual career in the media and as a racehorse owner. Despite a tame end, Owen has enjoyed a glittering career and became England's fourth highest goalscorer with 40 in 89 appearances.

At 18, his stunning solo goal for England against Argentina in St Etienne turned him into a superstar overnight.

And in 2001, he was voted European Player of the Year after winning a cup treble for Liverpool and scoring a hat-trick for England in a famous 5-1 victory against Germany in Munich.

As he said in a recent tweet: 'I shook the world in my day.'

Kop hero: Owen will always be welcome at Liverpool

Alas, that was as good as it got. A snapped hamstring while playing for Liverpool turned out to be the first of several serious injuries which ultimately affected his once-lightning pace.

He was sidelined for nine months after rupturing anterior knee ligaments against Sweden at the 2006 World Cup.

And he pulled up with a hamstring injury after scoring for Manchester United in the 2010 Carling Cup final against Aston Villa and was out for the season.

He has made just one start for Stoke this season, in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace, and has come on as substitute six times in the Premier League.

Stoke are to make radical changes to their recruitment policy after figures released last week revealed an annual wage bill of £53million and debts rising to nearly £15m.

Buying senior Premier League players on big wages, such as record signing Peter Crouch, will be replaced by younger players and more foreign players under new technical director Mark Cartwright.

New buys must to be balanced by sales, which means £15m-rated goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is likely to leave in the summer with Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all having monitored him this season.

Manager Tony Pulis believes the club will also continue to look for players in America, having signed utility player Geoff Cameron, 27, and winger Brek Shea, 23.

'America is a place where, at a good age, you can get some raw material given the opportunity,' said Pulis.

'We've got a scout over there who knows the league very well and we might add another one next year. 'Newcastle have done fantastic with their French players and we're trying to find a market that suits us.'.